Chances for me at Notre Dame, Boston College, UVA, Wake Forest, and Villanova

Chance Me / Match Me!
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Demographics
US Citizen
NJ
Catholic High-school
Male/Half White/Half Indian

I look to major in finance/data analytics; I’m also interested in potentially Economics

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores
My school only does weighted GPA: I have a 97.89 weighted average for my first 3 years. My school gives +3 for honors classes and +5 for AP classes. To note, I have consistently gone up in my average GPA each school year (freshman year - 95.67, sophomore year - 98.3, junior year - 99.87) Also, my junior year was in-person all year and my senior year weighted GPA for the first quarter, which I submitted to Notre Dame, was a 100.14.
My school doesn’t do ranking
ACT: My highest composite score is a 32 (34 english, 32 math, 31 reading, 30 science). My super score is a 33 (35 english, 35 math, 31 reading, 30 science). I was able to self-report my super score to Notre Dame.

Coursework
My school doesn’t offer AP’s until junior year. They offer AP US History, AP English Language, AP Chem./AP Envi. Sci.) I took AP US History (4 on the exam) and AP English Language (3 on the exam) junior year. Right now (senior year) I am taking AP AB Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Literature, and AP Macroeconomics. I am also doing Spanish IV Honors (4 years of language). In total, I will have taken 6 (the maximum is around 7 at my school). I’ve taken art electives and business electives. I also did Bio II Honors and Physics Honors my junior year instead of AP Chem./AP Envi. Sci., and I have taken all Honors classes (besides one Spanish class).

Extracurriculars
My extra curriculars include 1. school volunteer service club with 85 members and I’m on the governing board - one thing I do that is interesting is run a weekly prayer service (Minyan). 2. President of my school’s Operation Smile club with 46 members - I’m also on the Regional Leadership Council which is selective so it’s somewhat difficult to get in. 3. I’m the co-founder and co-president of my school’s tutoring club for 7th, 8th, and 9th graders (I tutor and organize tutors with guidance department). 4. I have played varsity ice hockey all 4 years. 5. I help special needs kids learn how to skate and play hockey weekly. 6. I have played club ice hockey for all 4 years (I was captain for a year). 7. I’m vice president of my school’s national art honor society club. 8. I had an internship with someone running for governor of NJ (I worked with adults and mainly used spreadsheets to track info etc. 9. I’m a member of my school’s Digital Art and Photography club (I have done portraits for children who have faced challenges in a foreign country through the ‘Memory Project’). 10. I had a brief job over the summer at my town’s pizza shop. To note, I am also in Spanish Honor Society and I have a partial merit scholarship, which went in my honors section of my application.

Essays/LORs/Other
In my opinion, my essays are strong. My personal statement is about being a late bloomer and the mindset I aquired etc, and my supplemental essays are strong as well. I have had them checked by my counselor and others numerous times before submitting too.

Cost Constraints / Budget
The cost of college is not an issue as I am fortunate enough that my parents will pay for it.

Schools
It’s very hard to estimate my chances at getting in, but I will use data mainly from students last year who got in from my school and how strong I feel my application is.

Notre Dame (Restrictive Early Action) - 50%? - It’s an extremely hard school to get into, but I think I have a good chance based on students who got in last year from my school and the fact that out of the 5 or so kid’s doing REA I seem to have the most well-rounded application (highest GPA, same/better courses, strong extra curriculars and essays)

Boston College (RD, but I may do ED2) - 50%? It’s become extremely hard to get in, which I recognize. I’m hoping I can get in as I’ve compared myself to previously accepted students from my school and I seem to be strong.

UVA (EA) - 25%? - I recognize that it’s a state school, but according to Naviance, I seem to be in range.

Wake Forest (RD, but I may do ED2) - 50%? It’s extremely hard to get in Regular Decision from what I’ve heard.

Villanova (EA) - 75%? - A lot of kids usually apply to Villanova from my school, but I appear to be high on that list.

I plan to apply to other schools in Regular Decision, but these are the schools I’m particularly interested in at the moment.

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Unfortunately, none of your estimates are even close to being accurate. I don’t doubt that you are a strong applicant, but how can you give yourself a 50% chance of admission at Notre Dame? And a 75% chance at Villanova?!

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Sorry about that - I shouldn’t of even put an estimate of my chances because I’m unsure. Villanova I had as 75% because I’m top of the list from students in my school applying and then generally accept multiple/several each year. For Notre Dame, I had a friend last year get in with a lower GPA and he was not top of the list for REA, whereas I am top of the list this year so I feel I have a decent chance.

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What is your UWGPA gpa (a 4, b 3). You will be compared from applicants at other schools.

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I have a 4 as my unweighted GPA - no B’s on my transcript

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All you have to do is look at the BC ED thread on this forum to see how unpredictable admissions are. Student with 1420 SAT accepted, one with a 1520 deferred and apps are up 50%, You have done the work and have a terrific profile. You will be accepted somewhere great. Although you are a strong candidate, it really is impossible for anyone to predict your chances at these schools. Good luck!!

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Are you in a Catholic high school? I suspect some of the randomness in stats probably can be explained in part by the relationship of Catholic colleges with Catholic high schools. It’s a yield thing.

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Yield does not come into play in ED. All admitted will attend.

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Not completely true. OP appears to be full pay but applicants can back out if FA package doesn’t meet expectations.

I would think being full pay would be a boost for OP. So would attending a Catholic HS. There’s 3 Catholic schools on his list. Only one Is restricted. Good luck.

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OP: In my view, your estimates are reasonable. I think that you are a strong candidate for admission to Notre Dame, Boston College, WFU, and Villanova. I also find your estimate about your odds at Virginia to be a reasonable guess.

Really like your essay topic.

I think that you are a solid match for all Catholic or Jesuit schools as they seek more than just numbers and you offer more than just numbers. I suspect that you will do well with respect to getting offers of admission.

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What I meant is that the relationship is based on securing yields during RD, and the overall relationship with a Catholic high school is likely to play a role in Catholic colleges.

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Sorry! I thought you were responding to my comment to the randomness during the ED round this year. I don’t believe admission officers are as worried about yield during ED as they are in RD, but certainly yield comes into play during RD.

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RD admission at Wake has become fairly difficult in recent years. Have you toured or interviewed?

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Agree. OP: Consider dropping WFU from your list; look for another school with data analytics & finance majors.

My impression is that you are a great match for Notre Dame, Boston College, Villanova, and Virginia , but less so for WFU. Try to find a school which offers a higher admit rate where you can study finance & data analytics.

P.S. Consider Indiana University Kelley School of Business

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Yes, I go to Catholic school

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No, but I plan to do the 3 minute video, and I may do ed2.

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I actually applied early action to Indiana school of business - I just didn’t put it on here! Thanks for the advice

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How about Santa Clara or LMU?

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I haven’t looked into those - Also, at the moment, I do not want to be far from home unless it’s for Notre Dame

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I just checked my Indiana portal and got into their undergrad business school! That’s the first school I’ve heard back from - Notre Dame comes out soon for REA, so I’m praying I get good news for that.

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